Prebiotics & Probiotics | Ask the Expert

What are prebiotics and probiotics? Do they really work? Which foods naturally contain prebiotics and probiotics? And what innovations have helped make taking prebiotics and probiotics easier for us?

Professor Glenn Gibson has been researching prebiotics for over 30 years. As the expert guest on the 'Well, Actually' podcast, he shares all about prebiotics and probiotics, including how good bacteria can help gut problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and whether prebiotics and probiotics actually cause ‘brain fog’. Listen in to find out how prebiotics and probiotics can help improve your gut health, skin and possibly even cognitive function.

You can also download this Well, Actually episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.

Timemarkers

00:00 Intro

03:34 How much bacteria is in the human body?

04:47 What are prebiotics and probiotics?

05:57 How do prebiotics and probiotics work together?

06:30 Foods that contain prebiotics or probiotics (GOS, Galacto-Oligosaccharide; FOS, Fructo-Oligosaccharide or inulin) 

08:36 Can prebiotics also feed bad bacteria?

10:10 How do you lose good bacteria in your body?

12:42 Which type of bacteria produces gas in your gut?

13:42 What is irritable bowel syndrome?

16:24 The Low FODMap diet

18:13 How to increase good bacteria through food

20:01 How long does it take for prebiotics to increase good bacteria in your gut?

21:07 How to spot prebiotics on nutritional ingredients list (GOS, Galacto-Oligosaccharide; FOS, Fructo-Oligosaccharide or inulin) 

23:53 Prebiotics & probiotics can improve the skin?

27:35 Are prebiotics & probiotics safe for children?

28:25 Why you should take probiotics after intaking antibiotics

30:03 Role of prebiotics & probiotics in small and large intestine

32:12 Is it possible to take too much prebiotics or probiotics?

32:31 Best strains of probiotics (Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Infantis, Bifidobacterium Longum, Bifidobacterium Breve, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus gasseri) 

36:38 What happens when you stop taking prebiotics and probiotics?

37:35 Negative side effects of prebiotics and probiotics?

37:47 What time of day you should take prebiotics or probiotics

39:52 Don't cook your probiotics

41:47 Can prebiotics or probiotics cause brainfog?

43:25 Prebiotics/probiotics have an effect on cognitive function

45:18 Where to find more information on prebiotics and probiotics

46:24 Credits

Let us know if you have any other questions on prebiotics and probiotics in the comments below!

Podcast episode courtesy of European Food Information Council (EUFIC)
Learn more on gut health with ISAPP (International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics).